preschool

Harriet’s First Day of School – 4s Preschool

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This was the last first day of preschool for our family.  What a sweet time this has been.  We loved the school Alma attended for three years, and where Harriet has been the last two years.  Unfortunately, things changed and we felt the need to move Harriet to a new school for her last year.

Luckily we found a really sweet place just down the road from both our house and Alma’s elementary school.  While it makes me really sad that they won’t be in the same place, it’s comforting to me that they’re just a block or two apart.  Also, Alma didn’t have school today (they broke the kindergarten classes into two groups for the firsts and Alma only had to go yesterday), so it was extra special that she got to come to drop-off with us.

Alma has been talking all morning about how she misses Harriet.  She even suggested that we just go pick her up two hours early.  It makes me so excited for next year when they’ll have lunch and recess together at the elementary school.

Harriet was so excited to be at her new school.  She got right to work tracing her name (that’s how they check in in the morning.  I love that idea!), then exploring all the things she could play with.

I’m so proud of how flexible she is these days.  I could have expected her to have a problem with the new school, new teachers, new friends, but she just rolled with it like the strong, brave girl she is.  I’m so excited to see what this year of school will bring to our lovely little Harriet.

Our Third First Day of School

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Today was different than other first days.  The girls were excited.  Our time at home was relaxed and slow.  We got out of the house a few minutes later than we’d wanted.  We showed up to a very full parking lot.  We got some rushed photos near the school sign.  We went into Alma’s classroom, where the circle time had already started.  I told her to go find her name on the floor without a hug or a kiss or anything.  She sat by her teacher and got to be the first calendar helper.  We waved and exchanged some excited, nervous smiles.  We took a grumpy Harriet out to the playground, where her class begins their day.  We dropped off bike helmets and extra clothes.  We showed Harriet how she can still look in Alma’s window to wave to her.  Then we left.  On our way down the hallway, we could see Harriet, peeking in at Alma, no longer grumpy.  We walked back to campus together.  Now I am sitting at a table in near silence, enjoying the solitude, looking forward to nine whole months of time that I know the kids are being enriched, socialized, educated, and loved.  And looking forward to nine whole months of time that I spend by myself, thinking, planning, writing, reading, walking, or with teenagers, working, teaching, talking, learning.  Man do I love the first day of school.

 

First Day of School, 2015

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andthenthey first day of school porchI just dropped both my kids off at school.  Alma was ready to be back.  Harriet was ready to begin.  When we turned the corner and school came into view, Harriet shouted, “Schoooool!”

andthenthey first day of school with signShe’s ready.

andthenthey first day of school breezewayWe went in, both kids were nervous, but had no tears and no problems.

andthenthey first day of school lamaAlma didn’t want to let go of my leg, but I handed her off to her new, sweet teacher.  As I left her room, I turned and snapped a photo of my big, brave girl.

andthenthey first day of schoolalma teacherHarriet didn’t want to let go of my leg, but I handed her off to Rachel, our wonderful friend who has helped us raise our girls from infancy.  Harriet was excited to show Rachel her “coa” necklace.  If you know Harriet, you know that “coa” means unicorn.  If you know Rachel, you know that she shares a love of “coas” with all young children.  I gave Harriet a hug and slipped out of the room.

andthenthey first day of school harriet rachelThe energy in the hallway was electric.  Parents were smiling, looking nervous, asking each other how their kids did with the drop-off.

Leaving the school, I could see Alma already digging happily in the sandbox, her favorite place last year.  A new friend was playing with her.

Leaving the school, I felt like I was forgetting something.  I didn’t have a stroller with my baby in it.  Instead, my baby was back in Alma’s old classroom, now her own.  And my baby isn’t a baby anymore.  She’s now a big preschooler who can talk about unicorns and dance and play.

I did the usual walk that Harriet and I did countless times last year.  It was the same walk, but so, so different.  I had a backpack carrying all my things instead of just stashing it all in the stroller.  When I saw a squirrel scurry up a tree, I didn’t have anyone to point it out to.  I could walk as fast as I wanted, and never had to stop to adjust a blanket or hand out snacks.

Even the destination of my walk is different.  It’s still the college campus, but this year it’s so much more.  This past year has been so hard.  So, so hard.  Jesse had a job that didn’t make him happy.  Then he was laid off (more of a relief than a scare) and had a month of unemployment.  Then he got a job that makes him happy.  Now when I walk to campus, I walk towards Jesse.  The whole campus has a different feel knowing that Jesse is here, doing a job that doesn’t feel like work, doing a job that helps people, doing a job that makes a difference.

Right now I’m sitting in a coffee shop across the street from Jesse’s building, all alone.  It’s quiet and I have time to think and write and reflect.

I don’t have anyone to point out squirrels to, but that’s okay.  I’m going to be fine.  In fact, I think I’m going to really like this year.

Alma’s First Day of Preschool

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Last night Alma was a baby.  Today she’s the biggest kid ever.  She had her first day of school.

aIMG_4103I woke up with butterflies in my stomach.

I love first days.

IMG_4104Alma was excited to get ready and get her backpack on.  She wanted to help get the snack ready.  As families at the preschool, we take turns bringing snacks for the whole class.  I signed us up for the first day because that’s the way I roll.

IMG_4106We ate breakfast and took showers.  Alma let me do her hair without complaint (not a normal occurrence, believe me).  She picked out her outfit.

IMG_4116Then it was time for the first traditional First Day photo.  Hattie had to get in on it.

IMG_4123We got to school.  She walked right in.  She remembered where her cubby was and put her backpack right in.  She started playing with her friend.

IMG_4131Jesse and I said goodbye.  She gave us hugs, kisses.  And we left.  I knew this would happen this way.  Having Rachel there is so wonderful.

IMG_4143When I went to pick her up, she ran to me and said, “I love you!”

IMG_4137Perfect first day.

 

Alma, I am so proud of you.  You are such a happy kid.  I know you are so excited to get to be in school.  To get to be around kids.  And Rachel.  You make me so happy with your desire to play all the time.  You are the best, my dear.  Have a wonderful first year of school!

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